Volunteers

Daystar Life Center of Citrus County has many positions for volunteering and people may volunteer for more than one position. We need at least 10 volunteers each weekday in order to be prepared for the times we receive a large number of clients, customers and donors. We never know how many people to expect on any given day, or at any specific time of day.

Call (352) 795-8668 and press 1 to discuss volunteering at Daystar.  Ask for our Volunteer Coordinator or Executive Director.

To become a volunteer, one must schedule an appointment with our Volunteer Coordinator. You will need to bring a photo ID and complete an application.

The minimum age to volunteer at Daystar is 13, which is also the minimum age level mentally or developmentally for adults. Many tasks or duties require a certain level of physical or mental capability as well as specific skills or personal qualities. Also, some training may be necessary for some volunteer positions.

Volunteers usually work from 8:45 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most volunteers work one day a week, while others enjoy working two or three days a week. We are closed on weekends, federal holidays, Good Friday, the week of Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day weekend, and from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.

We have positions available in our Social Services Office, Thrift Store and Food Pantry. We also need Truck Assistants and volunteers for the maintenance or improvement of the Grounds or the Buildings. We also accept teenagers who need Community Service hours, and teenagers or adults who must complete Mandatory Community Service.

Since many adult volunteers are seasonal residents, we need more people among the year-round residents to volunteer from May through October. Teenagers are welcome during the summer and other breaks from school. We are grateful for whatever time volunteers can schedule with us, but we depend upon people to be here at the times and on the days they are scheduled.

Every volunteer receives a Daystar T-shirt and lunch several times throughout the year.  Volunteers are also invited to our annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet and each may bring a guest for free.

Volunteers who are 55 years of age or older may register for reimbursement of commuting mileage (monthly minimum of 32 miles) and supplemental insurance coverage offered through the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) by the Nature Coast Volunteer Center of Citrus County and seating at their annual appreciation lunch.

The following volunteer positions are now available on certain days at Daystar:

Social Services Office — Volunteer Positions

• Work at the front desk by greeting and receiving clients, then registering them or checking their information in our computer database, and by answering the phone and taking messages
• Train as an interviewer, and then meet with clients to assess their needs as well as their eligibility, then either direct them to the services that Daystar may provide or refer them to other service providers
• Provide data input by entering into our computer database pertinent information about each client and details of the services provided
• Offer clerical help with filing, phone calls, emails, faxes and record keeping
• Light housekeeping

Thrift Store — Volunteer Positions

• Receive and sort donated items, and display them on shelves or clothes racks
• Recycle or dispose of clothing or items that are not suited for re-sale
• Greet and assist customers and clients, and keep racks and shelves tidy
• Train, and then work at the cash register, answer the phone, and take messages
• Clean donated items and dust items on display for sale
• Assist customers shopping for furniture and large appliances in the outbuildings
• Help unload donations from vehicles or load purchases into them
• Assist with posting on and maintaining social media
• Light housekeeping

Food Pantry — Volunteer Positions

• Unload food brought in by our truck or by donors; sort, and then shelve, refrigerate or freeze food items
• Retrieve nonperishable foods from shelves and bag them for clients, assist some who need help to carry bags to their vehicles
• Greet and receive clients, collect their vouchers; add produce, baked goods and frozen meat or poultry to the food bags; weigh all of it and record the weight before handing it to the clients
• Rotate inventory on shelves and in cabinets
• Light housekeeping

Truck Driver Assistants

Daystar needs volunteers who are capable of assisting our truck driver with the pick up of large items donated to or the delivery of purchases from our Thrift Store.

Assistants also help pick up and unload large quantities of food for the Food Pantry.  They also assist donors unloading their donations of items to the Thrift Store.

A truck assistant is usually scheduled between 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Grounds Volunteers

Volunteers are not needed to mow grass. We have contracted the services of Key Training Center for the mowing and edging of grassy areas, and the weeding of landscape beds.

However, volunteers are needed throughout the year to improve the aesthetic appearance of the grounds. Tasks include: regular assessments of the grounds and trees, raking leaves and pine straw, mulching, repair of any damaged or diseased plants and trees, maintenance of fences and signage, pressure washing of walkways and outbuildings, adding new plantings, and completing small improvement projects.

Building Maintenance

We welcome volunteers who have the appropriate skills or expertise to apply toward the maintenance or improvement of building interiors and exteriors. They address such needs as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting or staining, pressure washing, repair of damage, minor renovations, and completion of small improvement projects. They also perform regular maintenance checks, repair equipment, and even repair donations to the Thrift Store for re-sale.

We have one crew that comes on Mondays and another that comes on Thursdays.  New volunteers may join either crew, or complete tasks assigned by the Executive Director according to a mutually agreed schedule.

Community Service Hours

We gladly accept teenagers (ages 13 to 17) who need to complete community service hours for their school, church or community organization.

Mandatory or Court-ordered Community Service for teenagers and for adults may also be completed at Daystar.

Whether it is voluntary or mandatory community service, the volunteers must arrive on time and aptly perform work during the mutually agreed dates and times.

Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Anyone who volunteers at Daystar Life Center is invited to this annual banquet. It is one way we like to thank everyone who contributed any time and work at Daystar or towards its mission or operations. Each volunteer may bring a guest to this free event, which includes a program presented by the Executive Director, featuring the Pastoral Director, and usually a guest speaker from the community.